Pure Temptation (Priceless)

Kane Hart isn’t for me. He grew up on the right side of the tracks. The only reason he ever crosses those tracks is because he has to. He’s not here for me but for the ride home I let myself pretend that he is.

3

Kane

“You enjoyed that way too much,” Nico says as he pulls off his vest. I did. It also got my eyes off the clock for a while. Time always drags for me on nights I’m picking Addilyn up from the club.

“Do you need a medic?” Tara calls as the ambulance pulls up out front of the house we just raided.

“I’m good.” I flex my hand, making sure nothing is broken. It’s been a while since I've actually been in a fight. Got some of that aggression that’s been lingering inside of me for the past month out. I know the relief will be short-lived. “I miss my SWAT days.” I pull the vest off, handing it over.

I’ve been working in the gang unit for a few years now. For the past four months, I’ve been searching for Martin Holt, and when I’d finally gotten a solid tip regarding his whereabouts, I knew I needed to go in with the SWAT team.

They’d been a body short to execute the raid properly. It was clearly a sign I should be there. It had gone off flawlessly. No one got hurt except Holt, but he rushed me, making him fair game.

I’ve wanted that sick bastard off the street since I learned about him. If you ask me, he doesn’t even belong in a cell for the shit he’s done. No one is off-limits to him. Even in the streets, there is a code you live by. Not him. He has zero morals.

It’s likely why someone finally snitched on him. It took a bit, though, because people have been scared of his psychotic ass for so long. And I have to say, they had reason to be. He has a far reach in the crime world.

A bullet in the head would be more suitable for him, but that’s not my job or call. I’ve done my part, and now I’ve handed him over to the proper people so they can do their job. I know he’s done for with all the evidence I’ve collected on him. I made sure that my case against him was rock solid. Because I knew that asshole would have top legal representation that would be looking for even the smallest mistake to get him out of trouble.

“You know you’re always welcome back. You can be in the middle of the action again instead of pushing all those papers,” Nico offers.

“Those days are behind me.”

“There’s been talk you might be leaving altogether.”

“Maybe.” I shrug, not wanting to get into that right now. “I’ve actually got to head out. You good?”

“Yeah, we’re good. Thanks again.” We bump fists before I head out, snagging one of the patrol officers to give me a ride back to the precinct where my truck is.

It’s Friday night, and I have a standing date with Addilyn. I always take her home after her shift. We've been doing it for the past month now. She’s actually stopped bringing her car to the warehouse altogether, letting her brother take it for the night.

I park in my normal spot when I make it to the warehouse. I don’t hide at the back table anymore either. It’s too far. Especially if someone tries to get handsy with Addilyn. Most know to keep their hands off and show respect, but sometimes the alcohol makes some forget, and I’m always there to remind them.

The small high I’m riding from getting Holt off the streets is short-lived when I spot Addilyn dancing on top of the bar. She’s not alone either. Vee is up there with her. Where the fuck is Archer? He must have pissed Vee off, and she’s trying to get a rise out of him.

I watch for a long moment as Addilyn sways her hips to the music. Her little body is moving like a live piece of art. She’s damn breathtaking. For as tiny as she is, she has me by the balls. How this has happened I have no idea. Vee says something to her that makes her laugh, but I can tell something is off.

I’ve come to know her pretty well in the short time since she came into my life, knocking me right on my ass. One second I think I have my life all mapped out and what I might want, and the next, all I can see is her.

She turns her head as if sensing my stare, and those hazel eyes of hers that are always changing on me lock with mine. Her head tilts to the side, her plump lips forming into a smile that could bring me to my knees. Slowly over the last month, I’ve gotten those glares she’s always given me to fade away. Her tongue darts out, wetting her bottom lip. So fucking sexy. I start moving again, needing to get to her.